In the heart of modern technological advancement, the rise of smart, interconnected vehicles navigating the bustling streets of Beijing, industrial models transforming production lines in Shenzhen, and intelligent robots entertaining audiences on grand stages while autonomously inspecting factories all signify a notable shiftThese breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, particularly large-scale AI models, are transitioning from the confines of research labs to vibrant real-world applicationsThe recent Central Economic Work Conference highlights a crucial pivot; it has emphasized the necessity to "lead the development of new productivity through technological innovation" and has introduced a call for "large-scale application demonstration actions for new technologies, products, and scenarios." This not only reflects a profound change in the paradigm of technological innovation but also suggests that real-world scenarios have emerged as a pivotal catalyst for productivity, following traditional factors such as land, capital, technology, talent, and dataThus, scenario-driven innovation is becoming a new paradigm and an opportunity to accelerate innovative breakthroughs and foster high-quality development.

The central question arises: what does scenario-driven innovation encompass? How does it differ from the familiar concepts of technology-driven and demand-driven innovations? Why have "new scenarios" become recognized as the accelerators of growth in the quality of productivity? Simply put, a scenario refers to the complex, dynamic real-world conditions, characterized by limitless potentialDeveloping new forms of productivity in tune with local realities necessitates direct engagement with multifaceted real-world issuesScenario-driven innovation employs real-world applications as vehicles for innovation, guided by strategic insightsIt facilitates the organic synergy and diversified application of new technologies, products, and environmental factors, leading to iterative advancements and breakthroughs in innovation.

For instance, in contexts like intelligent transportation and automated mining, a plethora of challenges must be simultaneously addressed, including environmental sensing, 5G communication, equipment interconnectivity, autonomous navigation, data sharing, and safety oversight

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Relying on singular technologies or isolated innovation entities is insufficient; instead, collaborative efforts involving government bodies, enterprises, academic institutions, and users are essential to create a holistic approach to problem-solvingThis intricate system of innovation, characterized by a tripartite framework of "scenario-driven initiatives, technological integration, and institutional adaptation," encapsulates the essence of modern innovation methodologies.

In contrast, technology-driven innovation typically follows a linear model wherein research precedes application, potentially leading to instances where innovations remain underutilized or untransformed into viable solutionsDemand-driven innovation, on the other hand, directly addresses user needs with a clearer focusWhile this model tends to have high success rates, it risks being overly constricted by superficial user demands, which can lead to herd mentality and excessive competition without significant differentiationScenario-driven innovation shifts the paradigm from “What can I do?” to “How should I evolve to meet the needs of the world?” By immersing in the authentic, dynamic complexities across various user and organizational dimensions, this approach excavates genuine concerns and requirements for economic development, effectively converting new technologies and products into actionable productivityMoreover, it proactively identifies emerging innovation opportunities, revolutionizing industries for the futureThis hands-on approach, akin to "learning to swim in the water," epitomizes a grounded method of innovation in the AI era.

In this interconnected digital age, the "new scenarios" which embody real demand, technology integration, and institutional innovation are becoming fertile grounds for nurturing future industries and restructuring competitive advantagesNoteworthy examples include Beijing's initiative to establish a unified city-wide application scenarios platform, facilitating the validation and iterative innovation of new technologies like artificial intelligence; Guangdong's construction of a collaborative ecosystem integrating "scenario-tech-industry" to nurture upcoming sectors; and Shanghai's introduction of heterogeneous humanoid robot training grounds, which leverages immersive scenarios to expedite technological breakthroughs

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Similarly, Hefei promotes the creation of a "city of all-encompassing scenario innovation," paving the way for demonstrations of emerging disciplines such as autonomous driving and quantum technology.

However, while various regions join this "scenario-driven innovation league," challenges persistA primary concern is the "island effect" of scenario openness, particularly regarding public domains and manufacturing contexts, which restricts the widespread application and iterative breakthroughs of emergent technologies like embodied intelligenceAdditionally, the lack of a "tolerance mechanism" for scenario validations constrains new technologies to existing standards, while the risk-sharing frameworks for collaborative innovations remain underdevelopedCompounding these issues, institutional delays in endorsing new regulations in response to advancements in automated driving and low-altitude economies hinder potential progress; ethics surrounding the large-scale application of disruptive technologies like brain-machine interfaces urgently require comprehensive establishment.

As we stand today, scenario-driven innovation is evolving into a new battleground for accelerated scientific breakthroughs among major nationsWith its rich tapestry of application scenarios and a robust industrial framework, China is uniquely positioned to leverage these factors through large-scale initiatives integrating new technologies, products, and scenarios, unlocking a multiplier effect on the development of quality productivityThis response not only confronts the technological revolution driven by artificial intelligence but also represents a strategic choice for seizing developmental agencyTo realize this, three dimensions of innovation must be emphasized.

First, it is essential to establish “innovation accelerators” driven by scenariosBy focusing on key scenarios within the pursuit of a powerful technological and manufacturing nation, initiatives such as a national scenario database could be developed, integrating scenario resources into the management of new production factors

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The exploration of urban super scene laboratories would facilitate large-scale scenario validation platforms in areas such as smart cities, green technologies, and embodied intelligence, providing innovation entities with "real-world testing grounds." Furthermore, implementing significant demonstrative projects centered on scenario-driven innovation could operationalize the triadic collaboration of “human-machine-scenario,” significantly enhancing the overall efficacy of innovation ecosystems.

Second, constructing an ecosystem empowered by scenarios is paramountThis involves supporting user-led enterprises to form scenario-driven innovation collectives that facilitate risk-sharing and profit-sharing arrangementsThe exploration and promotion of instruments like "scenario innovation vouchers" would further enable small and medium-sized enterprises to secure funding for scenario validationsCrucially, local governments should establish scenario promotion centers and laboratories to foster scenario-driven innovation competitions, encouraging a wider spectrum of specialized organizations and talents to engage in activities related to scenario exploration, pricing, matching, investment, operation, and ecological development.

Finally, the development of institutional adapters for scenario-driven innovation is necessary to enhance compatibility with emerging industriesThis demands intensive theoretical research into the intersections of scenario-driven innovations and future industrial advancements, particularly for predictive strategies, technological developments, and institutional innovations catering to groundbreaking fields such as superintelligence, bio-economics, and deep exploration of outer space and oceansStandards for scenarios in nascent fields like intelligent interconnected vehicles and low-altitude economies should be established, alongside the exploration of tolerance mechanisms for scenarios, igniting societal vigor towards exploring new scenarios and accelerating innovations.

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